CARIBOU, Maine — An area bank has stepped forward with a sizable donation in support of a Caribou hospital’s effort to raise $800,000 for a new women’s imaging center.

Officials at Cary Medical Center have announced that Key Bank has pledged $30,000 toward the campaign. The gift from the bank has taken the project past $565,000.

The new imaging center will offer state of the art digital mammography and stereotactic biopsy. Stereotactic biopsy, a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure, is not currently available in Aroostook County.

In addition, the new center will feature a unique patient navigation program, where a coordinator will assist patients maneuver through various exams and follow up procedures.

Steve Gagnon, senior vice-president of Key Bank, said that the donation is part of an ongoing relationship with Cary Medical Center.

“Cary Medical Center has always been in the forefront of health care in the state,” he said.

“Key has a long history of partnering with the hospital on projects that advance the level of technology, overall quality of care and other services to advance the quality of life in northern Maine.”

Gagnon also said that the new center will cut down on travel time, as women will not have to travel to Bangor or beyond for such advanced care.

Mary Harrigan, executive director of the Jefferson Cary Foundation, said that the gift represents a milestone for the project. The donation is the largest corporate gift they’ve received for the project.

“This is the largest capital campaign we have ever conducted, including the building of the new hospital,” she said. “We are very grateful to Key Bank and all of our corporate sponsors.”

Pam Scheppele, president of the Jefferson Cary Foundation board of directors, said the initial response from the corporate community has been extraordinary.

“We have been very pleased with the response of the corporate community to our capital campaign,” said Scheppele. “We are now engaging multiple businesses throughout the region seeking their support.”

The first donations for the imaging center came from hospital employees. Scheppele said that the hospital set a goal of raising $100,000 in employee donations, and they are now approaching $150,000.

“This is truly remarkable and helps to set a standard as we move on to the broader community effort,” said Scheppele.

The Cary Medical Center Auxiliary has contributed $100,000 and anticipates another $100,000 donation in October. The Jefferson Cary Foundation has made a $90,000 contribution from funds raised at the Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament and other fundraising events in recent years.

For information on the campaign or to make a contribution, contact Mary Harrigan at the Jefferson Cary Foundation 493-4849.